Is it a dairy allergy?

[FTMF30]

Hi all,

Please skip to the last two paragraghs if you don't want to read the background waffle. I'd really appreciate some opinions on this.

My LO is 7months old and is well into the process of weaning.

Since he was about 6 weeks old, I've had a suspicion he could have a dairy allergy due to his extreme colic and silent reflux symtoms (silence reflux only diagnosed due to him swallowing his spit up rather than letting it flow out). He's rarely actually thrown up. Has only done so recently after having egg (which we now know he's allergic to).

He had his tongue tie cut at 4 months and his reflux/colic symptoms seemed to die down. This could have been due to the procedure or simply coincided with his gut maturing.

Anyhow, I unsuccessfully avoided dairy due to it being in unsuspecting items such as naan bread and figured it hadn't done LO much harm so he must not be allergic. I then would go back to fully eating dairy (e.g. cheese sandwhich) but then I'd notice he would 'act up' a couple of days after me having it. Thing is, I also suspect he's teething so that could be the cause of his discomfort.

Fast forward to yesterday, I tried him with some yoghurt as I thought it best to try it direct with him instead of via breastmilk then I'll know for sure. He had about 7-8 spoons of yoghurt and seemed fine. About 3 hours later, I notice he's gone quite red around his neck/jaw - not rashy, just red. He also had an actual rash on the inside crease of his arm, by his elbow. He seemed fine within himself all day and night, through to this morning.

Does a little bit of redness and a rash count as an allergic reaction. LO seems to have no discomfort?

It could be, or it could just be coincidence. Id avoid all dairy for a bit and try again with a decent amount of yogurt and see what happens (it’s a milk challenge).

Another option is to give it a few weeks until everything is stable again and do the milk ladder (you can find it on google, or on the CMPA website) which basically slowly increases the milk content of food.

If you get another reaction call your GP (or emergency/111 etc if it’s a serious reaction)

Only a professional can diagnose a true allergy

Thanks @ElyElyOy Will definitely try the milk ladder. Hadn't heard of it before.

@confusedbeetle I've been to the doctors twice about it and they've simply told me to remove dairy from my diet. They said they won't do blood test or anything and that if need to be referred to a paediatrician then dietician.🤷‍♀️

Under a year they won’t do blood tests (they may do skin prick tests but they aren’t accurate). At this age range elimination from diet to identify possible ige or non-ige allergy, and then referral to a dietitian is quite common. If there are any issues with severe reactions or problems with weight gain then you might get an Allergy Dr referral, but some areas this won’t happen until they are over 12 months old or experience anaphylactic symptoms.

@ElyElyOy Oh right. Didn't know about the age restriction for the test. Makes sense. My doctor never explained that.

I'll be trying him with some more yoghurt in a couple of weeks. The redness/rash has gone and he's been completely fine (alert and babbling away). If he gets the redness next time, I'll we do put it down to the yoghurt. Time will tell.

I would be careful and only give a small amount of yogurt and wait to see what happens. Allergic reactions tend to increase in severity. Hopefully it isn't an allergy, and instead is a coincidence, but caution is best.

Hello my son has been poorly for some time now before Christmas he looks very pale tired complaining his tummy hurts all the time, not much of an appetite, diarrhoea and sickness occasionally doctors done bloods lymph was 1.3 2 weeks later 2.5 have been told they are low have seen a specialist and treating him 4 reflux but I am not convinced. He is lacking in energy.